Here's a slightly different question for you.

I bought an M&P .45 FS because I wanted a striker fired gun. As many have, I've upgraded it with the Apex FSS and TruGlo TFO sights. I also took out the magazine disconnect. In this configuration it's quite a marvelous pistol.

I just recently acquired an M&P .40S&W FS. I like it a lot as it is, but it will probably be better with the same treatment I gave the .45.

Here's the dilemma. I'm an NRA pistol instructor. As it is, the .40 is a good example to demonstrate to new students what to expect when buying a new gun. I can show how the mag disconnect works and what the trigger feels like. I can contrast the modified vs un modified guns. Of course, I feel it will be a better shooter if I do the upgrade.

Now, I have no shortage of guns. I don't need this new one for competition because I can use other guns for that. I have a different gun I use for carry and have no intention to carry this new one.

So, what do y'all think? Modify it or leave it alone? Budget is not an issue for this one because I already set aside the upgrade money.

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Freedom isn't free.

Do away with the magazine disconnect.

Those things render your pistol useless during reloads and encourage sloppy thought about 'safeties '.

I won't have one, nor would I suggest anyone buy a pistol with one.

I'm sure you teach the proper sequence for clearing a pistol: drop the magazine THEN clear the chambered round.

If your selfish fix it like the 45. If it will be used for demo and students learning about stock M&P's I would leave it as is till you get another to do upgrades on for yourself. Just me.

If it's for new shooters to shoot, leave it alone. I wouldn't even mention upgrades to new shooters. Would you let drivers ed students practice on a Z06 Corvette? GARY

agree, plus it will be useful to show it stock and then they can see and feel the things people look to mod and they can judge what they might want to do. often people don't get the chance to see both before and after side by side when judging a mods value

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M&P FS 9mm

If you're using it as an instructor as a demo pistol for new shooters, it would make sense for it to remain in factory stock condition. That's what they're going to be buying, after all.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

AS a NRA Firearms Instr. I would NOT even go into doing trigger work on a pistol during a class!!!! I can see it now the NRA guy who taught me told me to do the trigger work on my pistol, it makes it shoot better !! OFFICER or worse yet the state attorney says you custom made that gun just to shoot that poor young person that tried to rob you.

You're absolutely right.

I just didn't belabor the obvious because I expected a NRA pistol instructor would already be well versed on such an unnecessary exposure to personal liability.

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Ret LE Firearms inst & armorer

I bought the gun because I'm a gun enrhusiast. I started this thread just to see what value y'all thought about leaving it stock.

I'm not sure how it got inferred that I might be teaching trigger modification in an NRA class. First that would be against NRA policy. Second, it would be foolish from a safety stand point for new shooters. I think the liability issue speaks for itself. So, let's just put that to bed.

I'm really just looking for opinions on the value as a demonstration tool. It's also a good tool to teach the value of knowing the caliber. Because a 9mm barrel can be dropped in, I can envision a situation where the wrong caliber could be used in this gun if due diligence is not followed.

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Freedom isn't free.

To prevent using wrong caliber in wrong gun that is where you teach look at AMMO BOX, GUN BARREL, CARTRIDGE BASE

My position is you shouldn't even be teaching newbies that a "trigger modification" exists by showing them a "before & after" gun. Let them learn that by themselves once they have some shooting experience. GARY

So you are not a gunsmith, but you want to work on a pistol and then use it for students to shoot in an NRA course?

My NRA instructor course included specific cautions against using my ammunition, or doing any amateur gunsmithing on guns used in class.

Factory ammo, factory gun, follow the NRA Lesson Plan and cover the course objectives is NRA Policy.

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Science plus Art

Amen to that.

You are reading too far into this.
No, if I keep it stock I'd use it as an example. Otherwise I wouldn't.

No. My students are required to bring their own guns. They wouldn't use mine. If you're a certified instructor you already know that's a bad idea without special insurance.

I would let a friend shoot my guns, but not regular students.

Even though you don't know me and we've never met, you assume I'm not a gunsmith. If you're an NRA instructor, be careful about making assumptions about your students. This can damage your credibility with them. In this case you're right, I'm not, but even if I were, I wouldn't use a modified gun in my class.


This is a departure from the OP, but we've hit on an interesting question. Are drop in parts a "modification"? I mean, it's obvious that the gun is altered dramatically when parts are machined or welded. But, when is a gun considered modified? Is changing the sights a modification? The grip? Replacing the hammer? Where is the line drawn between a modified gun and one that's had normal maintenence or innocuous upgrades?

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Freedom isn't free.

I think the line is probably any adjustment to lighten the trigger from factory specs. You can send em back to S&W for a trigger job. Would that be crossing the line?

Actually I didn't assume anything; I've read your previous posts.
Most bring up interesting issues, even those I disagree with.

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Science plus Art

Then I'm the one making assumptions. Sorry.

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Freedom isn't free.